Ocean – The Watchers

Record Sargassum influx inundates Caribbean shores, impacting tourism and ecosystems

Harsh Vardhan — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 15:30:42 +0000

Sargassum levels in the Atlantic basin hit a record 37.5 million metric tons in May 2025, the most recorded since monitoring began. The sharp increase has inundated coastlines, affected tourism, and raised health concerns across parts of the Caribbean.

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Mass Velella stranding covers beaches in Ventura County, California

Reet Kaur — Wed, 14 May 2025 15:47:00 +0000

Thousands of Velella velella, also known as by-the-wind sailors, washed ashore on beaches in Ventura County, California, from late April to early May 2025. The mass stranding, driven by onshore winds and warm ocean conditions, reflects seasonal oceanographic changes along the California coast.

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Rip currents claim one life in Florida’s Lake Worth Beach, leave two injured

Rishav Kothari — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 12:55:54 +0000

Rip currents claimed one life and left two injured on Saturday, April 12, 2025, after pulling three teens into the water while swimming at Lake Worth Beach in Florida.

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Six new species discovered beneath Antarctic seafloor after iceberg A-84 break-off

Rishav Kothari — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 11:47:24 +0000

An international team exploring the seafloor after iceberg A-84 broke off the George VI Ice Shelf in January 2025 discovered a previously unseen ecosystem, raising questions about how life adapts to some of the harshest environments on the planet. Since the area became accessible, at least six new species have been identified in the region.

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Study reveals complex behavior and environmental impact of unpredictable deep-sea currents

Harsha Borah — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 16:28:44 +0000

A comprehensive investigation headed by Lewis P. Bailey of the National Oceanography Centre and involving global collaborations revealed the complicated and unpredictable behaviour of deep-sea currents. This four-year study offshore North Mozambique investigates how these currents interact with the seafloor, challenging existing models and bringing new insights into marine ecosystems.

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New algorithm developed by USGS promises to measure the ocean’s depth with greater accuracy than ever before

Rishav Kothari — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 13:00:59 +0000

Recent advancements by the USGS EROS Center, led by Minsu Kim, developed a new algorithm using Landsat data for bathymetry, supporting initiatives like Seabed 2030. Landsat Next, launching around 2030, promises even greater accuracy and resolution than ever before.

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Record ocean temperatures and La Nina signal ‘extraordinary’ Atlantic hurricane season

Teo Blašković — Thu, 23 May 2024 18:20:15 +0000

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be significantly more active than usual, with NOAA predicting 17 to 25 named storms, 8 to 13 hurricanes, and 4 to 7 major hurricanes. The North Atlantic hurricane season runs from early June to late November.

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NCEI scientists warn of weakening Atlantic Ocean currents, profound implications on global climate patterns

Teo Blašković — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 09:02:00 +0000

Scientists from the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) and the University of Maryland have provided evidence of a significant slowdown in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a key climate regulator. Published in Frontiers in Marine Science, the research utilized over six decades of oceanic data to track the health of this vital oceanic component. This slowdown, observed primarily in the last two decades, could have profound implications on global climate patterns.

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Strongest marine heat wave in 40 years off Canada’s East Coast

TW — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 13:11:22 +0000

A severe marine heat wave was recorded off Canada's East Coast this summer, according to data compiled by Fisheries and Oceans climate scientist Peter Galbraith. The event, lasting from the last three weeks of July to the first week of August, saw a weeklong temperature spike off Newfoundland averaging 6.7 °C (12.1 °F) above normal.

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Data confirms robust weakening of the Gulf Stream

TW — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 14:56:36 +0000

A recently published study in the journal Geophysical Research Letters has revealed that the Gulf Stream transport of water through the Florida Straits has weakened by approximately 4% over the past 40 years. Researchers state with 99% certainty that this is more than what would be expected from random variations, marking the first definitive evidence of significant change in the current.

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